I have heard some preachers and read some books okaying masturbation among Christians. Some also maintain that it doesn’t matter “how” you do sex with your lawful spouse. But is this so?

Let’s begin by asking the question: Is masturbation sin?

We will look at masturbation as a starting point and other issues as appendage.

Masturbation is in fact 'self-abuse' but that is not all. Other reasons also combine to show that it is wrong:

1. Some people maintain that they ain't hurting anyone; catching no disease, or illegitimately getting anyone pregnant by it.

It is important to remember that any sin is first and foremost against God. If we do something wrong, whether nobody is hurt in the process, including self, it remains a sin against God. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit they 'hurt nobody' but they sinned against God. Joseph was of the conviction that accepting the offer from Portiphar's wife would be sinning against God (Gen. 39:9); when Ananias and Sapphira hid the money, they hurt nobody except God; when the prodigal son came back to his senses and rehearsed his repentance sentence he said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven..." (Lk. 15:18).

2. Masturbation, among other perversions like oral sex, homosexuality, etc. are "unnatural".

There is what the Bible describes as "exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones" (Rom. 1:26 NIV). Any sexual activity that is not "natural" is an abomination.

3. Masturbation works better with fantasy. One needs to have someone in the picture and fantasize.

What can be the essence of committing adultery in the heart? (Matt. 5:28).

4. The man's seed is sacred and shouldn't be sprayed out on purpose.

It is a wicked thing to do. Ask Onan (Gen. 38:9-10). It is quite "unnatural" to spill the seed; it doesn't even look good to behold, not even in a condom.

5. What about unmarried who would want to engage in masturbation to cool off as they wait for marriage, and the married who are deprived? For the unmarried, the Bible is clear that if one burns, he should get a spouse (1 Cor. 7:9).

The point we have already discussed in number three above, among others, make masturbation a risky venture for the unmarried. For the married, the Bible doesn’t give an avenue for sexual fulfilment within self. It gives that responsibility as an exclusive prerogative for one’s partner. It says:

“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time…”—1 Cor. 7:3-5 (NIV).

With that, I strongly believe that sex that is not "natural" is anathema before the Lord, and may I emphasize, this includes oral sex. The genitals are not meant for the mouth, and vice-versa.

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